Shatsthala

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The concept of Shatsthala (ಷಟ್ಸ್ತಲ or ಷಟ್ ಸ್ಥಲ in Kannada, षट्स्थल in Sanskrit language; ṣaṭ-sthala) or Six (Ṣaṭ/ಷಟ್) Phases/Stages (Sthala/ಸ್ಥಲ) is pivotal to the veerashaiva tradition.^[1] Shatsthala is a conflation of Shat and Sthala which means 'six phases/states/levels' through which a person (a bhakta/seeker) advances in one's ultimate quest of realisation of the Supreme, or, simply put, enlightenment. (The word enlightenment used here refers to the Indian notion of enlightenment.^[2]) The Shatsthala comprises the Bhakta Sthala, Maheshwara Sthala, Prasadi Sthala, Pranalingi Sthala, Sharana Sthala and the Aikya Sthala. The Aikya Sthala is the culmination where the soul leaves the physical body and merges with the Supreme.

While the origins of the Shatsthala may be traced to the Agamas, particularly the Parameshwaratantra, with the evolution of Veerashaivism Shatsthala seems to have received more attention.

While Basava understood Shatsthala as a process with various stages to be attained in succession, the credit of refuting this and redefining Shatsthala goes to Channabasavanna, Basava's nephew. Channabasavanna differed radically from his uncle and held that a soul can reach its salvation in any stage.